PRECEDPINTS AND ORDINANCES 



OF THE 



General Society of the Cincinnati, 

Construino- and Interpreting the Institution, 



KNKOKCINO ITS t^KOVISIONS, 



TOCKTIIEK WITH EXISTINli 



KULItSOF PKOCl-.DURH AND STANDING RESOLUTIONS, 
1788-1885. 



ASA BIRD GARDINER. LL. D.. 

{JUDGE ADVOCATE, U. S. ARMY,) 

MmiiliiT 1)1' till- (Ji'iici'iil Society Committee on Rules and Onlinanoes from tlie 
Ulicide Islaiul State Society of the Cincinnati. 



2iiil Edition |)i-ivately printed for use of Members of tlie Order. 



CXIN^TK^^^TS. 



Pajies. 

Objects iif tliii (ii'iRTal Sniriuty luiilor the Institution :', 

Manner of votinji' in the General .Si)eiety ."> 

Quorum for business at any General Meetin<; 4 

])ele_sj;ates to General .Meetings, when ehosen 4 

Number of delegates apjiointed by State Societies, and mode of oxamininL;- Credentials 4 

Result of these precedents. I. Credentials, how examined 5 

II. Authorized number of delegates and status of alternates .") 

llules and lleiiulations for eonductiuij' business of the General Society (i 

'I'ho President General c.r c/ficio member of all committees 7 

Term of office of General ( tffiecrs 7 

Triennial and Sjiecial Meetings, how convened 7 

Expenses of ( leneral Meetings, how defrayed 7 

i^xpenses of the Secretary ( ieTieral S 

Expenses of General officers, how paid S 

Funds of the General Society, where and how kejit S 

Acts of Incorporation for the State Societies S 

State Societies required to conf(n'm to the Institution S 

Eligibility to membership of officei'S of the Xavy and ^larines II 

Consti-uction given by State Societies relative thereto 1) 

Action thereon by the General Society !t 

Service as officers in State regiments when counted !l 

Direct and collateral descent 1 (I 

I'rojiosed but non-adopted amendments to Institution as to menibershiji Ill 

Failure of ratification 1 1 1 

Fcn-eigners may become hereditary members IK 

( )riginal and lier(>dit-irv membership defined 10 

Keorganization of dis.solved State Societies Ill 

The T'resideiit General's in.«ignia of the Order Hi 

jM inutes of tJoneral Society Meetings 1 : > 

Publication of tlie ( I eneral Society proceedings 14 

Permanent Fund when subject for relief purposes 14 

Addenda 15 



('npyi-iL':lil. Iss-I, li\ ihc l;lioile Island ,<lale .^ociely ii|' Cincinnati. 



NoTF.. -The lirsl (>(lilioii was iiri\alcl\ piiiilcil lor use ol' llie (leneral (lllicci's ami |)ele;;ales in llie 
Triennial incdinii nf Ihc (leneral ,<iicicl\ nl' \Ia.\. ISSI. This eililiim conlains llie resolves ol'tliat ineelinu'. 







Objects of tlic General 
Society under the In- 
stitution. 



By tlio terms of the Institution, tlie General Society is required, at each meeting, to fully con- 
sider the principles thereof and adopt the best me;u>uros to promote them, and also to read and consider 
the circular letters and particular laws of the respective State Societies and concert all measures which 
may conduce to the general intendment of the Order. 

These provisions necessarily include not only a right in tlie (ioneral Society to interpret and 
construe the language of the Institution and compel a conibrmity with its general intendment, but 
also to make rules and regulations for its own procedure. 



Manner of voting in 
tlio General Society. 
Rule of 17S4. 



At the first meeting of the General Society held in Philadelphia, it was unanimously resolved, 
on the (Jth May, 178-1, "that the manner of voting be by the representation of each State Society." 



Rule of 1787. 



Rule of 1S4S. 



Rule of 1851. 



This resolution was reiterated on the 14th May, 1787, at the Triennial meeting then held in 
Philadelphia. 



Subsequently, at the Special meeting held in Philadelphia on the 29th November, 18-18, the 
question was formally raised as to whether the General Society did not consist of its officers and a 
representation from each State Society, and a committee was appointed to report at the next Triennial 
meeting on the subject. Meanwhile it was resolved for that particular meeting that, in all questions 
to be decided, each State Society should be entitled to cast three votes, and each General officer 
one vote, and a majority of all the votes cast should be necessary to a decision. 

Finally at the Triennial meeting held in the City of New York, on the 7th May, 1851, the fol- 
lowing ordinance was reported by the Committee and unanimously adopted, viz. : 

'• Be if onliiiiicfJ hji the Gcnei-al Society of the Cineiinidti, That all the elections of the officere 
of this Society shall be by ballot, and that in such elections, each representation present from a State 
Society shall be entitled to cast five votes ; and each of the officers of the General Society who shall 
be present, shall be entitled to case one vote ; and the majority of all the votes thus cast shall be 
necessary to an election. 

" And he it further Ordained, That in the decision of all resolutions and questions submitted to 
the action of the General Society, the vote shall (upon the request of any delegate from a State 
Society or of any officer present) be taken in the following manner, viz. : Each representation present 
from a State Society shall be entitled to cast five votes ; and each of the officers of the General 
Society, who shall be present, shall be entitled to oast one vote; and a majority of all the votes thus 
cast shall be necessary for an afiirmntive decision. 

" And upon any question thus brought to a vote, the yeas and nays shall be entered on the 
minutes, at the desire of any three members present, whether delegates or officers." 



Qiionini forlm.-^iiioss at 
iiiiy Genpral meetiii''. 



At the Triennial nieetin;;- (jf'tlie (Jeneral Sneiety lielil in I'liila.lel|iliia en the 5th May, 1820, it 
was resolved •' tliat sucli State Sueietics and officers of the General Society as convene in jreneral 
meetings, shall be competent to transact business."* 



Delegates to General 
meetings, wlien chosen. 



1851. 



1854. 



1855. 



I85B. 



1857 



At the Triennial meetini; of the General Society held in Philadelphia .>n the Sth May, 1838, it 
was resolved: '• That the diiferent State Societies of tlie Cincinnati be reriucsted, amiually to ajipoint 
delegates, to attend any meeting that may be called.'' 



Number of delegates 
apjaohited liy Slat <> So- 
cieties, ami mode of 
e.xaniining credentials. 

1784. 

1787. 



At the first meeting of the General Society, as provided in the Institution, held in Philadelphia, 
4th May, 1784. President General Washington being in the chair, it was ''on motion resolved that a 
committee of three bo appointed to receive and examine the credentials of the delegates to this meeting 
and report. The members chosen were Jlr. Kamsey, Mr. Dearborn, and Mr. Turner." 

At the first Triennial meeting of the General Society held in the State House, Philadelphia, 12th 
3ray, 1787, credentials were produced, read and filed, .showing, among others, that the Ma.s.sachusetts 
State Society had a]i]iointed seven delegates " any three to bo a representation." No more than the 
last niimlier attended from that State. 

At the .special meeting held in the City of New York, 7th May, 1851, on motion to that effect, a 
committee was appointed by the President General to examine credentials which reported, among 
others, that the 5Iassachu.setts State Society had appointed six delegates, Pennsylvania six, and Mary- 
land nine. The six delegates from Pennsylvania, and also the Assistant Secretary General, who was a 
incnd)er from that State Society, but not a delegate, were present. No other State Society had more 
tlian two delegates present. 

At the Triemiial meeting held in Baltimore, 17th May, 1854, the eommittco to examine creden- 
tials, apjiointed on motion to that effect, rejaorted eight as the number of delegates accredited by the 
Maryland State Society. No State Society, however, had present more than five delegates. 

At the .special meeting held in Charleston, S. C, 7th February, 1855, the committee, appointed 
by the President Genera! to verify the credentials of delegates, reported that the South Carolina State 
Society had '• duly appointed " six d<flogatcs, Maryland eight, and Pemisylvania six. None of the 
other State Socities had ap|iointed over three, anil no one representation present during the sessions (ex- 
ceeded five delegates. 

At the special meeting heW in Trenton, 21st May, l.S5(J, the committee, appiinted on motion to 
examine credentials, reported, among others, the names of six delegates as '• duly appointed " by the 
Pennsylvania State Society. No State Society was, however, represented by more than fiaur delegates 
during the sessions. 

.\t the Triennial meeting held in Boston, 27th Blay, 1857, it appeared, by the credentials filed, 
that (lie Mas.sachu.setts State Society had appointed ten representatives and Maryland seven. None of 
the I it her State Societies had appointed over five. The ten representatives from Massachusjtts. heredi- 
tary members, including the Hon. Franklin Pierce, ex-President of the United States, were present. 

'J'hc committee appointed by the President General, on motion to that effect, to examine creden- 
tials iif delegates, reported that they had ■' been regularly appointed," and remarked as follows: 

■' The Societies of Massachusetts and .Alaryland have appointed a larger numljcr of delegates th.an 
that prescribed by the Constitution, viz . five. 

" The committee are, however, advised that the five gentlemen who are first named on the Ma.s.sa- 

"• liy a prior resolve of tlie 14tli May, 17S7, the General Society re(|uireil a rp|irescntation from .5pr<')( State 
Societies in order to coiistitnt<' a (|iioruin for hnsiness. The eventual ilissoUition. however, of .several of the State 
Societies (which had not previously lieeii for.^een) made it necessary to modify this regulation, otlierwi.se tlio 
olyects of a General meeting would have l:een defeated. 



18G0. 



18S1. 



1884. 



Result of tlieso prece- 
dents. 
Credentials, liow ex- 
amined. 



Authorized immlier of 
delej;ates and status 
ol' alternates. 



chusetts delegation have been autlmrized to represent that State, and that the number in attendance 
from Jlaryhmd is les.s than that prescribed by the Constitution." 

The five alternates in the Massachusetts representation, alth(iu<ih not participating in the delibera- 
tions, were accorded the unquestioned privileges of the floor. 

At the Triennial meeting held in Philadelphia, 2d May, 1800, the Committee on Credentials, ap- 
pointed by the President General, on motion to that effect, reported, among others, as " regularly ap- 
pwinted " the names of six delegates from the Massachusetts State Society and six from Maryland. 
The full number from cither of these States did not, however, attend. 

At the Triennial meeting held in Charleston, S. C, IHth April, 1881, the Committee on Creden- 
tials, appointed by the President General, on motion to that effect, reported, among others, five delegates 
and two alternates as appointed by the South Carolina State Society, and five delegates and one alternate 
by the New Jersey State Society. 

Ehode Island had also accredited five delegates and five alternates. 

In each of these instances one of the alternates, by reason of the absence of a delegate, became to 
all intents and purposes a delegate and performed such functions. 

The remaining alternates were not present, so that the representation of delegates and alternates 
from any State Society did not in all exceed five. 

At the Triennial meeting held in Princeton, N. J., 14th May, 1884, the Committee on Credentials 
appointed by the President General on motion to that effect, reported, among others, five delegates and 
five alternates as appointed by the Rhode Island State Society, and five delegates and six alternates by 
the New Jersey State Society. 

In the first case, the five delegates and two of the alternates attended, the latter, although not 
participating in the deliberations, having the usual privileges of the floor. 

In the second case, as one of the delegates had died after appointment, and another one was pre- 
vented by his judicial duties from attending, two of the alternates succeeded to the vacancies and com- 
pleted the number of delegates. 

No other alternates attended. 

From a review of these precedents it is to be collected : 

I. That the General Society itself assumes to pass upon the credentials of delegates and alternates, 
and to appoint committees of examination thereon when deemed necessary. 

There are but two instances in which the appointment of a Committee on Credentials has not been 
actually based on a prior motion made and carried to that effect, viz. : One at the special meeting in 
Philadelphia of the 29th November, 1848, called to fill the vacancy in the oflice of President General, 
after Major William Popham's decease, when the chairman (the Vice-President General being absent) 
appiointed such a committee. 

The other at the special meeting in Charleston, S. C, 7th February, 1855, when the President 
General a]ipointed a committee " to verify the credentials of delegates.'' which committee, however, 
reported directly to the General Society 

In the earlier meetings and in that held in Boston, 29th May, 1872, the credentials were read to 
the General Society by the proper General officer, and no committee was appointed. 

II. As the Institution provides that the General Society shall consist of its General officers and a 
representation from each State Society in number not exceeding five, no State Society can have a greater 
number of delegates than five, and if a greater number are accredited without the credentials specifying 
whether they are delegates or alternates, only the first five named will be considered to bo the delegates. 

As a State Society may, however, desire to keep a full representation in the General meeting, who 
will be conversant with the current business therein, a reasonable number of alternates may be accredited 
who will be entitled to the jirivileges of the floor unless the General Society for special reasons may deter- 
mine differently. Such alternates as attend will succeed in the order of precedence to continuous vacancies 



which may occur in thoir respective State representations, Imt until then will not have the right of 
participation in any of the proceedings. 



Kules and 
for conil 
ness (if 
Societv. 



Regulations 
uctinjr liusi- 
tlie General 



At the Triennial meeting of the General Society held in Philadelphia on the 14th May, 1787, 
" Rules and Regulations for conducting the business of the General meeting," were submitted by a 
eonnnittee of which Brigadier General, the Honorable James M. Varnum was chairman, and unani- 
mously agreed to. 

As subsequently amended they are as fiillows: 

1st. When the General Society sliall assemlile for business.* the members .shall come to order by taking 
their seats; and no one shall leave the room urUil the meeting is adjourned— without i)erini.ssion from the Presi- 
dert-General or Chairman. 

2d. At every General Meetinj;, after the credentials of the resjiective members shall have lieen read, the 
Secretary General shall read the "rules and regulations for conductini; the business of the General Meeting," pre- 
vious to any other business.! 

The order of business shall be to read the Journals, if any. of the preceding day; then the despatches; 
then the reports of Committees, and then the Order of the day; which being completed, other matters may be 
entertained. 

3d. When in session members shall not .speak to one another; but rising, shall address themselves to the 
President-General or Chairman only. 

4th. All motions, e.xcept for adjourning the meeting from day to day, or for postponing the decision of a 
question, shall be made in writing. 

5th. No motion shall be debated, nor any question taken thereon— unless the same be seconded. 
Cth. .\11 qne:^tions shall be decided by a majority of niemliers present, unless the vole be taken as pre- 
scribed in the Ordinance of the 7th May, 1851. J 

7tli. All officers shall be appointed by ballot, unless a unanimous consent be given to a rira race vote. 
All special committees shall be appointed by liallot, \ndess a nuijority determine otherwise. § 

8th. Upon a motion for adjournment, from day to day, the question .shall be put, without debate, and shall 
take the ])lace of all other questions. 

9th. No memlier shall speak more than once, until every other member who chooses sliall liavo spoken to 
the same question; nor shall any memlicr speak oftener than twice in any ease, unless for explanation, an<l then 
without argument. 

10th. No membw shall interrupt another while siieaking, unless he call him to order. 

11th. All motions in writing shall be open to amendment previously to imtliiig the main question, and 
motions for jiostponing the whole or any part of a question shall be first in order. 

12th. Questions of order shall be determined by the President-General or Chainiian without debate; but 
an ap]ieal may be taken to the meeting, in which ease, they shall inunediately decide, after pfrmilling every nuMU- 
lier who chooses to speak ojiee. 

13th. In ca.ses to which the preceding rules do not apply, the President-General or Chairman shall con- 
duct the proceedings ftccording to his best discretion. 

14th. At every nu'eting of the General Society of the Cincinnati, the "principles emlxjdied in the Origiiuil 
In.stitution of the Society, shall be read as a part of the regular proceedings. || 

* The first Jiortiuii of t!iis rule originaUy ix'ail that " when seven ur more States .issemble for business," ic, ic., until amuudetl 
hy the rule (antt) ailoptx'd oth Slay, 18:^9. 

+ This first imrtion of the 2d Kule was ailoptwl on motion of Bripidier General, the lion. Elienezer Huntington, at tlie adjourned 
Triennial Jleeting of tlie General Soeiety held in Phihulelphia on the 7th May, 180(1. 

J This rule, prior to the resolution of the oth May, 1820, as to a quonnn, and the temporary nde of 2ritli Xovemlier, 1848, and the 
Ordinance of the 7tli Jlay, 18.".I, lliefore (juoted) read as follows: 

"Cth. All •luestion.'! shall be decided by a majority of State Representations present, seven making a i|Uoruni." 

§ This rule originally read ns follows : 

"7tli. All officers ami special committees shall be appointed by ballot ; but in other mattei-s wherein the nn'uibei-s are not agreed, 
the Stiites shall be called, and answer by the words. Aye, or Ko." 

At the Triennial Meeting of the General Soeiety, held in Boston, SOtli May, 1872, by unatlimous consent a portion of the General 
Officers wer« elected by acclamation, and since then, at several Triennial Meetings, a like course has been pureued. 

At the Special Meeting held in Trenton on the 21st May, 18.50, in a motion for a special committee, the Vice Presiilent-General pre- 
siding, Wiis authorized to apixiint it. This has since been frequently done. 

The last clause of the old 7th Rnle, as given here, was rescinded by the Onlinance of 7th May, 1881. 

I This rule was adopted on motion of the lieverend JIariuus Willett at the Triennial Meeting of the General Societv, held in Boston' 
Mass., on the 20th May, 1872. 



'^er o^Ivt' momb"rMf -'^*' "'° ^'''-^ meeting of the General Society held in Philadelphia, it was resolved, on tlic 7th May, 

iill euinniittees. 1784, "that the President-Oeneral of the meeting of the Cincinnati for the time being, shall ever be 

eiin.sidered ex, officio a member of all committees, and have a right to debate and vote therein whenever 
he may think {imper to attend." 



"^e™ °ffi"!'^*'' "^ *""'"" -^' "'" Tneniiial meeting of the General Society, held in Philadelphia on the 19th May, 1787, it 

was unanimously resolved " that the several officers chosen by this Society shall hold their offices until 
the last day of the next General meeting, unless others shall be duly elected in their room." 

At the special meeting of the General Society, held in Philadelphia on the 29th November, 1848, 
the Secretary General, in conformity with a resolution of a previous meeting requesting him •' to collect 
from the minutes and proceedings of the Society the different rules and regulations that have been from 
time to time adopted, in regard to the election and tenure of * * officers," reported: * * 

" That since the substitution of Special for stated Triennial meetings, the officers have been chosen for 
three years, and thenceforward until a new election takes place." 

This report was adopted. 



mul!t'ili!l.'''"i '.P'^'""^' The General Society has, as a general rule, prior to the conclusion of a meeting, designated when 

ineeliiigs. Iiow con- j t n r oj o 

vcned. and where another General meeting should be held. 

To obviat« the difficulties which might arise in an emergency from an inflexible rule, the General 
Society, at the Triennial meeting hold in Philadelphia, 7th May, 1832, resolved "that the President 
General be authorized to call a meeting of the (Jeneral Society whenever circumstances may appear to 
render it necessary." 

At the Triennial meeting held in Philadelphia, on the 8t.h May, 1838, the General Society re- 
solved " that until further orders are given on the subject, the stated meetings of the Society be dis- 
pensed with, and that the future meetings be held when directed by the President General, or in the 
event of his death or absence, by the Vice-President General : and that it shall be the duty of the 
Secretary General to give due notice of the same to the several State Societies of the Cincinnati in 
existence at such times." 

At the Triennial meeting of the General Society held in Charleston, S. C, 14th April, 1881, the 
President General ruled tiiat, under the foregoing resolutions of 7th May, 1832, and 8th May, 1838, 
lie is authorized to call special or extra general meetings in his discretion. 

A special meeting of the General Society was held in Philadelphia, on the 28th November, 1844, 
jiursuant to the direction of the Secretary General, in consequence of the decease, after the last pre- 
vious meeting, of both the President (leneral and Vice-President General. 

Expenses of General At the Triennial meeting of the General Society, held in Baltimore on the 18th May, 1854, it was 

'^' ' '■ 'resolved "that in future the expenses of the General meetings of the Society be borne in equal propor- 

tions by the State Societies whether represented or not." 

It has been customary, for many years, at each meeting of the General Society to make, by resolve, 
a stated equal assessment on each State Society as a commutation of its proportionate liability for the 
expenses of such meeting. 

This, however, is not actually necessary, as each State Society is, under the above general regula- 
tion, equally obligated, on notice from the Treiisurer General, to pay its equal proportion of the expenses 
of any meeting. 



Expensps of the Seci-p- 
tary General. 



At tlic Special meetinp; of the General Society, lield in Trenton on the 22il May, 1S5G, it wa.s 
resolved " that the expenses of the Secretary General for printinpr, &c , contingent on the proceediug.s 
of the Society, be defrayed from the Treasury of the Society." 



Ex)iensc.a of Geueral 
officers, liow paid. 



At the Triennial nieetin<r of the General Society, held in Boston on the 2ntli May, 1R72. it was 
resolved " that at the Triennial nieetinirs of the Society. * * the expenses of the 

officers be defrayed out of the funds of the General Society; Provuh/d , That the expenses of any such 
officers be not paid if he or they be delegates from the State Societies.'" 



Fuiiils of ll-.p General 
Society, wliere a n d 
bow kept. 



At the Triennial meeting of the General Society, held in the City of New York on the Kith ^lay, 
1875. the following resolutions were adopted : 

Resolvet], That the Treasurer General be directed to dejiosit the current recei|)ts of moneys from 
the Society's funds in such Ijank as he may select, with the concurrence of the President General, to 
the credit of the General Society of the Cincinnati, subject to the draft of the Treasurer General for 
the time being, or, in case of his death, of the Assistant Trea.surer. 

Resolve(/, That the United States bonds belonging to the Society, and any other securities which 
may hereafter be ac(|uired, be invested in the joint names of the Treasurer General and Assistant 
Treasurer General, as trustees, with the right of survivorship, and that in case of anj' change in either 
of these officers, fi'oni death or other cause, that the said bonds and securities be transferred ( from time 
to time) to the actual officers above named and immediately upon the appointment of a new trustee, all 
investments of the Society's securities shall be transferred to the joint names nf the then existing trus- 
tees, as joint tenants.* 

At the Triennial meeting of the General Society, held in Charleston, S. C., on the 13th April. 
1881, it was resolved "that the Trea.surer General and the Assistant Treasurer General for the time 
being, be and are hereby authorized, in their discretion, to dispose of the whole or any part of the 
United States bonds held for the Society, and invest the proceeds in bond and mortgage or other real 
securities, in their joint names as joint tenants, and not a,s tenants in common and the survivor of 
them or their or his successors." 

At the Trieiuiial meeting of the (Tcneral Society, held in Princeton, N. J., on the loth May, 
1884, it was resolved that the Treasurer General be authorized to hire, at a cost not to exceed a stated 
sum, a box in the .safety vault of the ]5ank of New York, in which to keep the securities of the 
General Si'ciety. 



Acts of Incorporation 
for the State Societies. 



At the first meeting of the General Society, held in Philadeli)hia on the 4th May, 1784, it was 
recommended that " the several State meetings shall, at suitable periods, make a])plications to their 
respective Legislatures for grants of charters. " 

At the special meeting of the General Society, held in Pliiladel|ihia (in the 5th ^lay. 17111. thi.s 
recommendation was repeated. 

The only State Societies which became incorporated in coiisei|nence of these recommendations were 
those in Ma.ssachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. 



State Societies re- 
quired to conform to 
the Institution. 



At the Triennial meeting of the General Society, held in Philadelphia cm the lUth May, 1787, it 
was '■ Ordered. That the several State Societies be punctual hereafter in communicating to the General 
meeting fair and accurate returns of their respective members, properly authenticated : and that the 
.said Societies do, in all things, strictly conform to the principles of the Institution." 



* This rule was a sulistitiUe for that adopted at the special meetim; held in Philadelphia on tlie .'iOth Noveni- 
her, 1S4S, which required all investnienls tn lie in the names of three trustees, one of whom shall lie the Treasurer 
General. 



Eliiiihility to iiipnilipr- 
sliiji uf oIliciTs of the 
N;ivv aiul Mai-iiiL'S. 



Construction f^iveii liy 
State Societies rela- 
tive thereto. 



Action tliereon Iiy tlio 
General Society. 
1784. 



By the terms of the '• Institution," eligibility to nriglmd membership in the Cincinnati was ap- 
pareiitly limited to those who had served as commissioned officers in the Land Forces of the Lnited 
States on the Continental Establishment and to certain French officers.* 

The State Societies, however, in Massachusetts, Ehode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsyl- 
vania, Jlaiyland, Virginia, and South Carolina, where alone the question appears to have been raised, 
construed these clauses as sanctioning the admission of the regular Continental Xavid and Marine 
officers, otherwi.se qualified, and, from their organization, acted on this construction, which apparently 
received confirmation in the pri(jr admission to membership by the Convention of the American Army 
of the loth May, 1783, as embodied in the Institution, of the French Allied iYuM? officers who had 
served in eomuiand of squadrons or armed vessels on the American coast. 

The General Society at its first meeting in Philadelphia, 4th-lSth May, 1TS4, evidently accepted 
this interpretation as correct, in the language used in the Amended Institution then proposed to the 
State Societies for adoption, (although never finally ratified,) wherein, in those portions which were not 
intended to be a departure from the s]iirit or intent of the original Institution, these classes of officers 
were specifically described as eligible to original membership. 



Service as olflcers in 
State reginients when 
counted. 



During the War of the American Revolution several States raised special State volunteer regi- 
ments and independent companies, (other than militia,) "for the defence of the United States in 
general," which were taken into the service of the General Government, and in which officers, who had 
previously or subsequently held " Continental " commissions had served for longer or shorter periods, 
or in which officers had served in the field fidli/ three years of the war. These officers had either re- 
signed with honor or been honorably discharged at expiration of the terms of service of these special 
State organizations. 

The question therefore arose as to whether, in ascertaining the length of service of an officer who 
laid claim to original membership, such field service could be counted either by itself or in addition to 
the service such officer had performed under a Continental commission in a Continental regiment or 
corps in order to complete the "three j'oars' service" prescribed by the Institution. 

This question included that of the eligibility to membership of the officers of the Rhode Island 
State Brigade, who, although holding only State commissions in the 1st or 2d regiments of Infantry, or 
regiment of Artillery, had served continnomly over three years of the war under Continental general 
officers — that brigade having been taken on the Continental establishment by resolution of Congress, 
and raised for the defence of the United States in general. 

In the General Society, on the 13th May, 17S4, "the opinion of the meeting was taken in regard 
to the admission of officere of any individual State to be parties to the Institution of the Cincinnati, 
who had served in time and manner proposed, and in the affirmative." 

The resolution declared " that such officers of the State Troops as have served three years can be 
admitted members." 

Under this ruling several valuable original members were admitted in several of the State Societies. 



* Tlie.i-e French officers had either held coiiimi.ssions from theT'nited States, or else in the French .\ux-illiary 
Land or Naval Forces in one of the particular ^jrades or irasitions of command mentioned in the Institution to 
entitle them to become "members." 

Their membership, by the specific language of tliat Instrument, was identically the same as that of other 
nrk/iiHil meml)ers. and after the French .Society dissolved, several of them, or of their descendants, were admitted 
in e.vi.stinj; State Societies under the same rules governinir like eases of other original or liereditary members. 

A number of officers who were not entitled eitlier by rank or command in the French Auxilliary Forces to 
original nieinliership under the Institution, were, nevertheless, admitted in the Society in France as hoHOrarij 
niember.s, and when the nephew of one of the.^e who had never held tlie rank of colonel during the Revolution- 
ary War, apjilied to the General Sociely, in May, 18(J0, for hereditary niemliershii), he was very jiroperly informed 
that he was not entitled to it. 



10 

Diropt nml collut.'ral At the Triennial iiuvtiri^- of the General Society, held in riiiladelpliia cm tlio 4t]i May, lS2i), 

" a question having arisen wheliier, in case of tlie death of a Uiomlier liaving no male issue cseept a 
" grandson, tlie issue of a daughter, such grandehild shall be preferred to collaterals 

" The Society conceives the true construction of the Constitution to be that the grandehild shall 
" be preferred, he being in the direct line of descent." 



Proposed hnl non- At the Triennial meeting of the General Society, held in the city of New York, on the Sth May, 

adojited amendments ^^,._, , i T ^ , ■ , , , o, r. . \ ■ t 

to Institution as to th;)l , there was recommended lor adoption by the several State Societies, as an amendment to the in- 

meiiibershiii stitution, '' An Ordinance relative to the sm/cession and admission of mcmbei-s," liv which, among other 

propositions, all male descendants of an officer of the devolution could be admitted. 

The Ordinance also jirovided that the General Society should have power and autlKjrity to admit 
honorary members at its discretion. 
Failure of rat ilicalion. It failed, however, to be ratified, and never became valid, as the Maryland State Society, on the 

5th July, 1852, refused to concur, and the President-General, accordingly, at the next Triennial meet- 
ing, formally announced that the j>rii;ciple of the Original Institution as to succassion of members re- 
mained unchanged. 

"membwXipS^^ ^^* ^^"^ Triennial meeting of the General Society, held in the city of Baltimore, ISth :\Iay, 1S.J4, 

1854. the following resolutioii.s interpreting the Institution respecting the succession and admission of mem- 

bers were unanimously adopted. 

1. '■■ Ri'snlred, That each State Society .shall have the full right and power to regulate the admis- 
.sion of members, both as to the <(ualifications of members and the terms of admission. ProriJn!^ that 
admission be confined to the male descendants of original members (including collateral In-anclies as 
contemplated by the original Constitution), or to the male descendants of such officers of the Army or 
Navy as may have been entitled to admission, but who failed to avail themselves thereof within the 
time limited by the Constitution ; or to the male descendants of such officers of the Army or Navy of 
the Kevolution as may have resigned with honor, or left the service with reputation, or to the male col- 
lateral relative of any fifficer who died in service without leaving issue. 

2. " Ri'solceJ, That the male descendants of those wlio were meml.iers of State Societies which 
have been dissolved, may be admitted into existing State Sjcieties upon such terms as those Societies 
may think proper and prescribe." 

A third resolution reijuired the submission of the other two to the State Societies div their assent 
thereto, but at the special meeting of the General Society held in the City of Trenton, on the 22d May, 
1850, the third resolution recjuiring a.ssent was unanimously rescinded, in consequence of which the 
resolutions of 1854 became, what they showed themselves to be, merely a declaratory interpretation and 
construction by the General Society of the " Institution" to be accepted in eonuectii;n with other ]ior- 
tlons thereof relative to the same subject matter. 

Foreigners may I)eeome At the Triennial meeting of the Geuer.il Society, held in Princeton. N. J., on the 15th May, 

liercditary members. i oo i -^ i i , i i ' ,t in- • , • ,. . t • ■ ' 

1884, it was resolved •' that the denaral Society conceives tlic true construetmn nt the Institution to 

be that where a desecndont of an original nn'inber or pi'rson otlurwise entitled to membership, shall 

apply for membership and be otherwise eligible, he shmild not bo docmed to be ineligible by ivasoa of 

not being a citizen of the United States." 

lieorKanization of dis- No definite rule of action has been prescribed by the General Society with a view to the reortran- 

solved State Societies. ... p i- . i c ,-, ■ , , , ", >. , ■ ,-„■ • .' 

ization ol any dis.'^olvetl State Society, allliough the subject lias, at several dinerent times, been 

considered 
Action tliereon in 1811. At thi> adjourned Triennial meeting held in Philadelphia on the Sth August, 181 1, a committee 



11 

was appointed to ascertain and report on the situation of tiie several State Societies. This committee, 
by its Chairman, the Hon. Elias Boudinot, LL.D., reported, on the followina; day, the dissolution, 
with concurrence of a. jiorfioit of their menihers, of the Delaware and certain other State Societies, and 
the dispersion of their funds and submitted a circular letter. 

The report was unanimously adopted, and the Secretary General was instructed to forward the 
letter to the Presidents of the respective State Societies, or to such 7nrmher thereof as would cnuse it to 
he laid before said Society. 

The circular for Delaware, although that State Society had dissolved, was duly authenticated by 
the President General and Secretary General " by unanimous order in General meeting," and sent to 
the care of one of its former most influential original members, urging " as the best corrective," despite 
its dissolution and the distribution of its funds, " the immediate renewal of that endeared intercourse, 
and earnestly recommending to that Society to send delegates to a special meeting appointed for the 
following year. In consequence of the decease or dispersion of the Delaware members this recommen- 
dation was impossible of execution. 

Action thcieon in 1829. At the Triennial meeting of the General Society, held in Philadelphia on the 5th May, 1829, it 

was resolved : " That the members residing in any State not having a State Society of the Cincinnati 
may form themselves into such State Society." 

This language, although general in its terms, was intended only to authorize members living 
in States in which the State Societies had been dissolved, to revive and reconstitute such State 
Societies, and was a re-enunciation of the same desire expressed in the prior action of 1811. 

The resolution, although not so limited in words, did not contemplate the organization of a State 
Society in one of the new States of the Union. 

That question had already been considered in the Massachusetts State Society at its annual meet- 
ing, held in Boston on the 4th July, 1805, in consequence of a petition received from Brigadier-General 
the Hon. Rufus Putnam, and other members of that State Society residing in Ohio, praying that a 
certain proportion of the Massachusetts State Society '.s funds, equal to what they, the petitioners', had 
originally subscribed and paid in, should be refunded and transmitted them for the purpose of forming 
a fund for a Society of the Cincinnati, which they had thought proper to create in that State. 

The standing connuittec of the Massachusetts State Society unanimously reported adversely to the 
petition for several reasons, and the report was adopted, and, having been duly communicated, no 
further effort was made to continue the informal organization in Ohio. 

The first of these rea.sons for not favorably considering the petition was that " by the Constitution 
of the Society it was clearly intended to form one family of brethren, to consist of thirteen cantons, and 
no more, forever. Nor is there any provision either expressed or implied, given either to the General 
meeting or to either of the State Societies, to create an additional Society, or to transfer any part of the 
original funds for this purpose." 

When the order was established in 1783 there were but thirteen States in the United States of 
America, and, in the absence of provisions in the Institution to the contrary, the Massachusetts Stand- 
ing Counnittec had good grounds for concluding that additional State Societies in the United States 
were not intended to be created. At the same time it is necessary to observe that the Institution con- 
tained special reference to the Government of France and provided for the admission of a considerable 
number of officers in the service of or resident in that State, and the first General meeting of 1784 re- 
cognized, ex necessitate rei, the Society in Prance on the same basis as the other State Societies. 

In course of time all actually admitted members, either original, hereditary, or honorary in the 
dissolved State Societies passed away. 

While any of them lived, however, they considered themselves members of the Order, and were 
always so recognized. 

Incidentally it is to be noticed that none of these dissolved Societies were ever incorporated under 
the laws of their respective States, and in none had dissolution taken place by unanimous acquiescence. 



12 



Action thpreon in 1S72. 



Action thereon in 1S81. 



Action tlioreon in 1884. 



In (loorjria dissolution was the result of tlio early tleeease or dispersion of its members, and in 
France dissoluticm was the result of the Eeign of Terror, and subse(juent unfriendly Directorate, Con- 
sular or Imperial Administrations. 

In neither of these instances did the members have any direct agency in terminating' their meetin<is. 

At the Triennial meeting of the General Society held in Boston, Mass , on the 2flth May, 1872, 
the question arose whether the reorganization of dissolved State Societies '■ required the permission of 
the General Society.' 

It was referred to a committee, whose report presented on the fillowing day by its chairman, IJcar 
Admiral Henry Knox Thatcher, U. S. Navy, wa,s agreed to, although not noted as unanimous. 

The substantive report was as follows : 

" * * * While we are fully convmced of tlie supreme autliority of tlie General Society in sncli 
matters, and cannot ami do not admit tlie rifild of any State Society, wliicli has once had an existence, and has 
since disbanded, and distrilnited the fund which was the main basis of their oriainal organization, to resume its 
original status, yet we feel, and so report, after a review of the question jjreseiited. that it may be expedient and 
proper for the General Society to receive and cousider any such application which may be made, provided that 
the same is made to the Society after a tein|iorary organization has been efl'ected by those applying: satisfactory 
evidence has been presented that the amount of the fund existing at the time of the disbandment of the Society 
has been fully made up (with simple interest from the date of such disbandment), a list being furuLshed of the 
descendants of original luenibers now residing in the States who desire to revive the organization ; and a full 
statement of the facts which induced such disbandment, and the disposition made of such funds by the members 
having tlie control of them at that time." 

This report was, in its recommendations, practically inop;'rative : 

1st. Because the controlling circumstances of dis.solution in the ca.se of each dis.solved State Society 
were not identical. 

2d. Because under ordinary circumstances the descendant.s of a few claiming liercditary represen- 
tation in a dissolved State Society as large, for example, as was that of CoBneoticut, would presumably 
be unable to contribute the considerable sum held by it in 1S04 with simple interest from that time to 
date. 

Even if able to contribute they ought not to be required to make good the deficient funds of 
others, or, in the language of the Institution, do more than " form funds which may be respectable," 
particularly in view of the fact that by individually applying for membership in an existing State 
Society, they would not be required thus to contribute as to others. 

3d. Because those hereditarily entitled to membership in right of ancestors, who had neither 
acquiesced in any formal dissolution nor participated in any distribution of the permanent funds, could 
not thus rightfully be estopped fYoin claiming their hereditary rights, nor rightfully be required, under 
such circumstances, to contribute anew their ancestor's month's pay, with interest, in the Society of 
their own State. 

After further consideration of the subject and mature deliberation, the Triennial meeting of the 
General Society, held in Charleston, S. C, on the 13tli April, 1881, laid on the table by a decisive 
vote, a motion to reaffirm as the sense of the General Society the foregoing report agreed to in 1S72. 

At the Triennial meeting of the General Society held in Princeton, N J., on the 14th May, 
1884, the cpiestion having ari.sen whether it was the intent of the above mentioned resolve of the 5th 
May, 1829, to authorize members of the Order residing in any one of the States of the United States 
organized after 1783, in which there is no State Society of the Cincinnati, to form them,selves into such 
State Society the same as if they resided in an original State of the Union in which the State Society 
had been dissolved, it was resolved "that the words ' any State ' in the resolution of the (jeneral 
Society adopted on the 5th May, 1829, shall only be construed to include any of the thirteen original 
States." 

As the subject now rests, the revival of the French or Georgia State Societies will each dep;Mid on 
contingencies different from such as would arise in the revival of those of New Hampshire, Connecticut, 
Delaware, A'irginia, and North Carolina. 



Tn iiiiy case the General Society would finally have to determine on the validity of such revival, 
even if it did not preliminarily move in the matter. 

Those hereditarily entitled to membership by reason of descent from ancestors wlio were original 
members in dissolved State Societies, or from ancestors who were entitled to be original members, may, 
under the before-mentioned Rule of 18th JMay, 1854, if worthy, obtain their hereditary membership 
in the Order by proper application to one of the existing State Societies. 



The President Gene- 
ral's insignia of the 
Order. 



In 1TS4 His Excellency, Count d'Estaing, Knight of the Holy Ghost, then the ranking Naval 
officer for duty in France,* and Lieutenant-General in the Army, sent to President-General Wasii- 
ington the insignia of the Order of the Cincinnati, consisting of the riband and Bald Eagle containing 
the emblems as established, elaborately set in diamonds. 

This was received by him on the 11th May, 1784, while in Philadelphia attending the sessions of 
the General Society of the Cincinnati, and was thenceforth worn. Apjiroprlate acknowledgement was 
made on the 15th May, 1784. 

After President-General Washington's decease, it was transmitted by his heirs to Major General 
Alexander Hamilton who had succeeded to the office of President-General, and, upon the hitter's decease, 
his wife duly sent it to Major General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, who had in turn succeeded to that 
office. 

The latter, at the meeting of the General Society, held in Philadelphia on the 8th August, 1811, 
presented a memorandum in which he suggested that the diamond insignia of the Order which had 
thus been confided to him, ought to be thereafter considered as appertinent to the office of President- 
General, which suggestion was, on motion, unanimously acceded to. 

Since then it has been worn on suitable occasions by each succeeding President-General. 



Minutes of General 
Society meetinsrs. 



The method of keeping the minutes of the proceedings of meetings of the General Society has 
followed parliamentary practice. 

On several occasions temporai-y directions have been given, but the only one now in force was 
passed at the Triennial Meeting held in the City of New York, on the 14th May, 18t;:5, and directed 
" that the name of the mover of a motion alone need be recorded, and not that of the person who 
.seconded it."' 



* Vice Admiral d'Estainjj's letter of transmittal was as folln 



'■2(!tli Fi'liriiarv, 17S+. 
"Sir: 

"It is in the n.amo of all the French Na\T that I take the libertv to request your Excellency to acct'jit of an 
American EaRle, expressed rather than cmheHisheil by a French arti.st. 

•■Liberty (of which it is the happy and auicust symbol) has risen of itself, supported by wisdom, talents, 
ami disinterestedness; by every virtue; by General Wiishinjjton. Obstacles iiave oulv served to increase its 
.stren^rth. 

"The cll'orls of a patriot army were invsistilile when seconded bv the Kiu<;'s troops who have shown them- 
selves by their di.seipline and conduct worthy of the choice of His Majesty. Tlu>se with his navv made everv- 
thiiig' possilile. 

"It appears tlieii to be proper in one of tliose who unites the titles of soldier and sailor, and wliom you in- 
spire with sentiments of the most iirufouml admiration and attachment, to entreat vein to receive with indiiln-ence 
an lionuiLce wliich nuist cease to lie unimportant when it shall aiijieal to your sensili'ility. ° 

"One who has had the hapi)ine.-is to be the first of those whom the'Kingsent to America, and who has been 
the last of those who were designed to lead thither tlie forces of two great mouarchs, thereby acquires the happy 
prerogative of being entitled to express, though faintly, the sentiments of all his fellow sailors and soldiers. 

"I have the lionor to be, with respect, sir, 

"Your Excellency's most obedient and 

"Mo.st humlile servant, 

"E.STAIXG." 



14 

I'lililication of Gein'i-al At the Triennial nieetini;' of the (roneral Society, held in Pi'incoton, N. J., on the 14th Jlay, 

^uc■il•t.\ proceeilmj^s. 2^f^4^ i( ^r.^^j ,-(,solvcd ■• that tlie proceedings of the General Society from its organization be ]irepared 

for publication by the Secretary General, and that he cause the same to be printed, the amount paid 

tlierefor to be subject to the approval of the President General, and, that when printed, copies thereof 

be distributed among the St;ite Societies in the ratio of the number of tlieir members." 



Pormaneut Fund when At the Triennial meeting of the General Society, held in Princeton, N. J., on the ISth May, 

posiT' ^'"^ "^"^'"^^ ''""^ l^*^'*' i^ "^'^^ resolved '■ that it is the opinion of the General Society that when an application for relief 

from any member or from his family or from the descendant of any original member is found to be 

necessary, such application should be made to the SUite Society wherein was deposited the contribution 

o{ the propositus of such applicant to the permanent fund." 



In 

ADDENDA. 

Nmiilipr of delegates At the special meetiiif;- of the (General Society held iti Philaclelpliia, 5th May, 1788, it appeared, 

sSS'i'e"' (vi'a,.-Ti"*l'' ''•^' ''"" t'l-edeiitials filed, that the New York State Society had appointed .seven delegates, any two of 

II lite.) whom should he a f|vionini or sufficient representation. Only one, however, attended. 

1 ?.'<.'<. 



Publication of General The resolution as given on page 14, ante, relative to publication of the General Society proceed- 

i ocie i 1'™ ^ *- '"=-''• ings i^ a substantial ponsohdation of two resolves on the subject. 



LIBRARY CF CONGRESS 

Hi 



ll II 
011 710 958 6 



